Darrell Greer
Northern News Services

Repulse Bay (Nov 13/02) - The community of Repulse Bay came together on Nov. 2 to celebrate a pair of milestones for the local priest.

Rev. Louis Fournier has spent his 50 years in the Roman Catholic priesthood in Nunavut since being ordained in France in 1952.

Maria Fraser has been a nurse in Repulse for the past 12 years.

She says because Fournier is such a devoted man of prayer, the community knew exactly how to celebrate his milestones.

"A number of residents got together with the sisters in the community and arranged to have a mass celebration," says Fraser.

"While the father was going to be the celebrant, the organizers requested he pray in gratitude for his time in the North, which he agreed to."

The mass -- celebrated in Latin -- was followed by prayers with local youth and a community feast.

Fraser says whenever there is a death or serious illness in the hamlet, Fournier has the entire community pray for the person and their family.

"His prayers have uplifted many people and I've seen healing take place in a number of people through those prayers."

Fournier still operates a greenhouse in Repulse, growing an impressive crop of flowers and fresh vegetables he shares with those in the community who enjoy them.

"The father loves to see the flowers bloom and it's amazing the flowers he gets to grow there.

"He uses the fresh flowers to decorate the church."

Canon Paul Williams of Rankin Inlet has known Fournier for more than 15 years, sharing time with the priest when they both lived in Coral Harbour and Repulse. Williams says working with Fournier was always a pleasure.

"Father Fournier is a welcoming soul, who is a stabilizing influence on his community," says Williams.

"He's a friendly, outgoing person who has a deep love for his people."

Williams says Fournier's 50 years in the North speak to his devotion to the mission of the church.

"It's a hard life as a celibate man, especially when you're seeing all these families growing and blossoming in such a family-oriented culture.

"Fifty years in the clergy is very comparable to the 25th and 50th anniversaries of marriage or the 40th year in the life cycle.

"All the celebrations we put towards these secular observances are celebrated within the various sects of the clergy."